Collapsing UK firm loved by fans of 2 football clubs makes 3-word plea | UK | News
A stadium catering company known for supplying delicious pies and matchday meals to two prominent football grounds has entered a critical stage of insolvency proceedings and is mounting a desperate defense as it struggles to stay in business. Family-run Worthing bakery and catering company Piglet’s Pantry, whose products are a familiar sight at Brighton and Hove Albion and Portsmouth Football Club, has appointed insolvency executors after mounting financial pressures and sharply reduced revenues.
Despite financial difficulties, the company, which supplies the iconic pies and sausage rolls at Portsmouth FC’s stadium, has insisted on continuing to trade, with most staff remaining employed and interest from potential buyers already starting as part of an accelerated merger and acquisition process launched earlier this week. But bosses admitted staff were asked to continue working for free and were offered a small daily allowance instead. A spokesman said the firm’s “sole focus” was on protecting jobs and securing a buyer.
“We are in bankruptcy, but we are trying to get over it,” they said. “We are not in administration. We are still supplying all our customers very tightly.
“We are currently in an expedited merger and acquisition process that was ordered on Monday.”
In a new update, Piglet’s Pantry has confirmed that it will continue to supply food to the Amex Stadium, with produce available for Brighton’s match against Crystal Palace.
“The pies will be there on Sunday,” the spokesman said, before making a three-word appeal to his supporters. “Please buy these, please continue to support us. This support directly helps us save the business and find a buyer.”
Fans were also reassured that the company’s online store will remain open every week and all orders will be fulfilled at this time.
The staff was informed of the situation in a letter on Wednesday, February 4. It is stated that the catering company is relying on matchday income from Tuesday night’s Portsmouth FC match against Ipswich to pay staff. However, after the match was postponed due to the pitch being flooded, Piglet’s Pantry announced that it was “no longer possible” to pay staff.
Accordingly NewsAn unnamed matchday employee expressed surprise at the announcement, saying there was no prior indication that the company was in trouble.
But most of Pig’s Pantry’s 70-plus staff have chosen to stay on the job despite the uncertainty: “More than 90% of our staff are currently working to help get through this situation,” the spokesperson said. “They believe in Piggy and want to secure his future.” Expressions of interest were received from potential buyers until Monday, February 9 for further approaches.
